a review of 无仁义之战

#20: The Yakuza Papers, Vol 1: Battles Without Honor & Humanity (on Mubi) Okay, here's the other reason I subscribed to Mubi this month: They're rolling out the first five films in the Yakuza Papers series of Japanese gangster epics. I hadn't seen any other Fukasaku films other than Battle Royale, so I was curious to crack into his earlier work. I don't know if it was just my Inauguration-addled mindset going into the film, but I found the first 30 minutes or so a little tough to get traction on. The movie throws a ton of characters with varying allegiances right at you early on, but it seems like an intentional attempt to convey the societal chaos of postwar Japan. Although we end up following just a handful of characters, settling mostly around ex-soldier Hirono and friend/rival Sakai, the overall feel of the film is mostly textural, presenting a pulpy tapestry of the yakuza world. Once that's established, it's a stylish ride that I ultimately enjoyed. The jazzy Toshiaki Tsushima score is a winner too, especially the horn sting that comes in during the multiple spectacularly bloody murders that happen throughout. It's completely over-the-top, but it fits with the film's tone.